“Elizabeth Rosenberg, an expert on sanctions with Center for a New American Security, a Washington-based think-tank, said if oil changes hands and even if it is then put in storage, the buyer would then be violating sanctions...” Read the full article here: Full Article
"'Joe [Maguire] is a terrific leader who cares deeply about the men and women of the intelligence community,' said Nick Rasmussen, who held Maguire’s job at the counterterrorism center under Bush and President Barack Obama. 'He’s someone who has always accepted the call to serve his country in whatever way is required. This is no different...'” Read the full article here: Full Article
"For many, like me, who worked on policy toward Afghanistan for years, recent leaks about an impending agreement between the U.S. and the Taliban bring mixed emotions. It is impossible to separate any deal from President Donald Trump’s persistent declarations that he wants to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan now. Such assertions weakened the hand of America’s negotiators and inevitably color any agreement – whatever its merits – with 'America First' and the sense that the U.S. is cutting and running. [...]
"'In the first [term of the] Obama administration, the focus really was on trying to work so that China would be a responsible stakeholder in the international community,' Work told me. 'Competition was a word that... didn’t convey what we were trying to do. But by the end of the administration, the administration just said, "Hey, China is truly a competitor, and we need to hedge against future bad behavior."' "...Colby, who recently left the Center for a New American Security [...]
"Protecting the public from the most pressing terrorist threat 'has been our governing principle for many years now,' said Lisa Monaco, who served as the top counterterrorism adviser to President Barack Obama. Given the surge in attacks linked to the far right, she said, 'we need to prioritize our resources and focus on this threat.' "...Nicholas Rasmussen, who served three years as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said that attacks linked to al-Qaeda or the Islamic State — including the [...]
"'This is significant,' said former US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro. 'There is no question that this trip has a certain symbolic importance. And the fact that Hoyer is leading it, is an indicator of where the Democratic leaders are – and that the vast majority of freshman are of a like mind, and are not in any way dissuaded from participating.' "Shapiro, who served as ambassador from 2011 through 2017, said that this trip tells him that the 'mainstream position [...]
"Just three days before the mass shooting in El Paso, the former FBI Assistant Director for Counter Intelligence warned in a New York Times op-ed that President Trump was fanning the flames of race-based terrorism. Frank Figliuzzi, who wrote that opinion piece, joins Andrea Mitchell to discuss alongside Jane Murguia, President and CEO of UnidosUS, Nick Rasmussen, a former director of the national counterterrorism center, and Charlie Sykes, editor in chief of The Bulwark..." Watch the full interview here: Full Interview
"'It behoves each of our governments to avail themselves of all the tools at our disposal in an effort to positively influence the conduct of the Chinese government,' Mr. Russel said. 'One of the essential components is a collaborative effort among like-minded countries, and linking arms to ensure that we are presenting a coherent and united front ... pushing for adherence to a clear set of rules and principles.' "While tariffs could be a part of that mix, 'you don't use [...]
"The U.S. Treasury Department announced it's imposing sanctions on Iran's foreign minister. NPR's Steve Inskeep discusses the move with Dennis Ross, a former special assistant to President Obama..." Listen to the full interview here: Full Interview
"Reports do indicate Hezbollah has seen its funding reduced in recent months, but, according to Dennis Ross, a former U.S. ambassador and a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, there is 'no indication whatsoever that Hezbollah is stopping any of its bad behavior.' This reduction in funding also coincides with a downturn in the Lebanese economy and, therefore, may not solely be a result of sanctions..." Read the full article here: Full Article